Thomas proud of the past, bullish on the future - opseu
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Thomas proud of the past,
bullish on the future
OPSEU President Warren
(Smokey) Thomas used the annual
Presidential Address to look back
with pride on the union’s recent
accomplishments – and to look to
the coming year with confidence.
“We made history, and then we
Convention Update
made history,” he noted in speaking
of two massive college organizing
campaigns. “The drive to organize
part-time support staff was the
biggest campaign in Canadian
history. But the one that followed – that was set in motion at Convention
to organize part-time faculty – was 2016.
even bigger.” “This is an amazing campaign,” said
OPSEU filed an application last Thomas. “This thing has taken on a life
week to represent contract faculty of its own. And that was our goal from
at Ontario’s 24 public colleges. The the beginning: that it become a people’s
union applied to represent part- movement, supported by the union,
time support staff at the colleges with our materials, our social media –
last year. Thousands of support everything we’ve got. Our campaigns are
Day 2: April 7, 2017
staff voted in a certification vote second to none. Union leaders tell me that
last June, but the ballot boxes have all the time.”
remained sealed since then. That The President also discussed initiatives
could soon change, Thomas said. the union had launched to be more
“The government and the law inclusive as an organization. He asserted
firms have thrown everything that the faces of OPSEU staff must reflect
they had at us,” he continued. the faces of society and the members the
“But they’ve run out of excuses union serves.
and challenges. We’re confident “We are a progressive union,” he
the ballot boxes for the part-time noted. “Years ago, we established the
support workers will be opened so Social Mapping Committee and the
the votes can be counted.” Joint Racialized Workers Committee.
Thomas also spoke at length They’ve done fantastic work to make
about the We Own It campaign our organization more accessible and
against privatization – a campaign inclusive, and to create a level playing field
Convention Update is brought to you by the elected members of the
inSolidarity committee, with the support of OPSEU Staff and the OPSEU
Executive Board.
within the organization, with everything from
networking days to internal job fairs. Le président Thomas est fier du
“We also put in a place an Equity, Diversity, and
Inclusion Program with the help of an expert in
passé, et optimiste pour l’avenir
the field, Keith Jeffers. We need to be able to walk
in other people’s shoes and to understand the
issues, the cultures that other people have. And Durant son discours au Congrès annuel, le
we’re making real progress.” président du SEFPO, Warren (Smokey) Thomas,
Looking ahead, Thomas said he saw challenges s’est montré fier des réalisations récentes de son
and opportunities. For example, speaking about syndicat et confiant pour l’année à venir.
LCBO workers, he was encouraged by news « Nous avons écrit une première page d’histoire,
that the Premier was leaning towards creating puis nous en avons écrit une deuxième », a-t-il
a Liquor and Cannabis Control Board. On the fait remarquer en parlant des deux campagnes
other hand, the LCBO’s attitude at the bargaining de syndicalisation massives dans les collèges.
table has been “nasty,” expressing his “100 « La campagne de syndicalisation du personnel
per cent” support for LBED workers – and his de soutien à temps partiel a été la plus grande
confidence that their employer will back down in campagne de l’histoire du Canada. Mais celle
the face of their determination. qui a suivi, la campagne de syndicalisation du
On that note, Thomas recognized the members personnel scolaire à temps partiel, est encore plus
of Local 316 who are currently on strike – and grande. »
54 of whom were present. To a standing ovation Le SEFPO a déposé une requête en accréditation
from delegates, the President called them up on pour représenter le personnel scolaire contractuel
stage. des 24 collèges de l’Ontario. Et l’année dernière,
Local 316 members provide care to people with le syndicat a déposé une requête en accréditation
developmental disabilities. pour représenter le personnel de soutien à temps
“These people didn’t choose to care for the partiel des collèges. Des milliers de membres du
vulnerable because they wanted to get rich,” personnel de soutien des collèges ont voté lors du
Thomas said. “They did it because they love it. vote de représentation au mois de juin dernier,
This employer is disgusting – but I couldn’t mais les urnes sont toujours fermées à ce jour. Ça
be prouder of these workers. They have the full pourrait bientôt changer, a indiqué le président
backing of 135,000 OPSEU members.” Thomas.
« Le gouvernement et les cabinets d’avocats ont
utilisé contre nous toutes les armes possibles »,
a-t-il poursuivi. « Mais ils sont à cours d’excuses
et d’échappatoires. Nous avons bon espoir que
les urnes du personnel de soutien à temps partiel
seront ouvertes et que les bulletins de vote
pourront être comptés. »
Le président Thomas a également parlé de la
campagne de lutte contre la privatisation, Ça nous
appartient, une campagne qui a été lancée au
Congrès 2016.
« C’est une campagne très populaire », a déclaré
President Thomas with Region 3 RVP Sara Labelle, le président Thomas. « C’est une campagne qui
staff representative Richard Bradley, Local 316 presi- fait boule de neige. C’était notre objectif dès le
dent Leslie Coles, and Local 316 chief steward début : qu’elle devienne un mouvement du peuple,
Courtney Huycke.
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soutenu par le syndicat, avec nos ressources, les membres de la LCBO et qu’il est convaincu que nos médias sociaux et tout notre cœur. Nos l’employeur finira par entendre raison face à leur campagnes sont sans égal; les dirigeants détermination. syndicaux me le disent tout le temps. » Sur une même note, le président Thomas a rendu Le président a également parlé des hommage aux membres de la section locale 316 initiatives prises pour rendre l’organisation qui sont actuellement en grève – dont 54 d’entre plus inclusive. Il a affirmé que les membres eux étaient présents dans l’assemblée. Devant une du personnel du SEFPO doivent refléter le ovation debout de tous les délégués, le président visage de la société et de tout l’effectif du leur a demandé de monter sur la scène. syndicat. Les membres de la section locale 316 procurent « Nous sommes un syndicat progressiste », des soins aux personnes ayant une déficience a-t-il souligné. « Il y a quelques années, développementale. nous avons créé le Comité du Projet de « Ils n’ont pas choisi de prendre soin des cartographie sociale et le Comité mixte des personnes les plus vulnérables parce qu’ils travailleurs racialisés. Ils ont fait un travail voulaient devenir riches », a déclaré le président formidable pour rendre notre organisation Thomas. « Ils ont choisi ce métier parce qu’ils plus accessible et inclusive et créer des l’aiment. Cet employeur m’écœure, mais je ne conditions d’égalité au sein de l’organisation, pourrais pas être plus fier de ces travailleurs. Ils avec des jours de réseautage et des salons de ont le soutien total des 135 000 membres du l’emploi internes. » SEFPO. » « Avec l’aide d’un expert dans le domaine, Keith Jeffers, nous avons également mis en place un programme sur l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion. Nous devons être capables de nous mettre à la place des autres, de comprendre les enjeux et les diverses cultures. Et nous faisons de véritables progrès. » Lorsqu’il se tourne vers l’avenir, le président Thomas a déclaré qu’il y voit des défis et des possibilités. Au sujet des travailleurs de la LCBO, il s’est dit encouragé par la nouvelle selon laquelle la première ministre était favorable à la création d’une commission de contrôle de l’alcool et Le président Thomas avec la vice-présidente du cannabis. D’autre part, la LCBO a adopté régionale de la région 3, Sara Labelle, le une attitude choquante dans cette ronde de représentent des employés, Richard Bradley, la négociations collectives, a-t-il dit. Il a ajouté présidente de la section locale 316, Leslie Coles, et que le syndicat est à “100 pour cent” derrière la déléguée syndicale en chef, Courtney Huycke. Brought to you by:
Delegates dig deep for Local 316
Convention had the pleasure of hearing from strikes can bring both emotionally and
the striking members of Local 316, Community financially, members began donating funds to the
Living Campbellford/Brighton. cause and the needs of the local, with the total
amount coming to an astounding $34,824.
They have been on strike since March 22, after
workers voted down the final offer from the The bargaining team vowed to stay strong, and
employer. OPSEU delegates showed that they will have the
backs of their follow union members.
In a show of solidarity to our members of
Local 316, and understanding the hardship that
Almeida acclaimed First VP/Treasurer;
Thomas faces off with Magner
Region 2 Regional Vice-President Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida was nominated and acclaimed First Vice-
President/Treasurer for another two-year term.
Incumbent Warren (Smokey) Thomas was nominated for re-election to a sixth consecutive term as
President of OPSEU.
Myles Magner, Regional Vice-President for Region 5, was also nominated to run for the position of
President.
Elections for the presidency will be held on Friday morning, as will the ranking of the Regional
Vice-Presidents.
Credentials Report
Delegates: 935
Alternates: 494
1723 attendees
Observers: 206
Executive Board Members: 20
Retirees: 7
Committee members: 54
Guests: 7
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International activists inspire
Convention delegates
A pair of We Own It activists from opposite public assets the government proposed to sell
sides of the globe inspired Convention delegates off, including one of the country’s most beloved
Thursday with examples of successes they’ve public institutions, the 500-year-old Royal Mail.
enjoyed in fighting to preserve their public Despite its profitability and excellent service, the
services. government sold off the final third of the mail
“The right-wing ideas behind privatization are system in 2013.
global – and our solidarity to needs to be global, Her warning to delegates? Don’t let your guard
too,” Cat Hobbs, down. Privateers
director of We Own circle public service
It – UK (WOI-UK), like vultures,
told delegates. “I’ve waiting to swoop in
come to realize that for the kill. “There
people don’t believe are more than 400
in privatization. think tanks in 80
They want public countries around the
ownership.” world dedicated to
Gerard Hayes, privatizing public
leader of Australia’s services.”
Health Science Unlike OPSEU,
Union (HSU), the group operates
sounded a similar with a handful
theme. of organizers and
“We’ve scarce resources.
undertaken the By contrast, Hobbs
privatization fight paid tribute to
and picked up on the We Own It theme,” said OPSEU for its commitment to WOI in funding,
Hayes, who spoke at OPSEU’s 2016 Convention. mobilizers, and public messaging.
When Hayes learned that OPSEU had launched “We just don’t have the people on the ground
its own We Own It campaign last year, the HSU like you folks do,” she admitted.
quickly followed suit with its own mobilization Hayes told delegates that WOI in Australia
drive. has played a leading role in having the state
In Cat Hobbs, delegates were listening to the government pull back on plans to privatize five
pioneer of the We Own It movement. “In 2012, Sydney hospitals. Governments use what is termed
in my bedroom, with a laptop, I started We Own “contestability tests” to determine whether a
It.” The flash point was her anger that the private public asset is kept public.
company that operated train service in Bristol To date, the test has kept two of the hospitals
only ran the train service every 90 minutes. She public hands. Despite HSU’s successes, he said
led the campaign to have the city council pay the the threat never entirely disappears. “We’ve got
company to introduce a more frequent service. a government that’s prepared to put every public
From that early victory, Hobbs and a handful of department to the test. It never stops.”
other activists turned their attention to larger
Beyond the Beehive: Ronnie Spector
spellbinds Convention
The lights dimmed. An expectant hush fell over The Ronettes enjoyed huge success on both
hall. Then Baby, I love you began to play. sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, their opening act
“Brothers and sisters,” announced President was the Rolling Stones, and they became friends
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, “I give you the Rose of with the Beatles.
Spanish Harlem.” After marriage, an insanely possessive and
A woman appeared. Sunglasses obscured her controlling Spector prevented Ronnie from
eyes, and abundant hair leaving home. Six years later
obscured her face. But she divorced him, but not
nothing could obscure that before losing her friends –
unmistakable voice: Ronnie and her career. And she had
Spector, one-time lead singer become an alcoholic.
for the Ronettes, a group Spector continued to
that had a string of hits in harass her personally and
the early 1960s, including professionally. He refused
the chart-topper Be My to license her music and
Baby and the Grammy- prevented the Ronettes from
winning Walking in the entering the Rock and Roll
Rain. Hall of Fame. Ronnie took
Born Veronica Bennett in Spector to court. Fifteen
Spanish Harlem, New York years of litigation later, the
City, in 1943, Ronnie was Ronettes won a $2.8-million
the daughter of a Black- settlement, as well as back
Cherokee mother and an royalties for dozens of
Irish father. As a young girl, she enjoyed standing predominantly Black singers.
on the coffee table to perform for family. Music Ronnie remarried in 1982 and had two
would became her great love, her passion, and her children. The Ronettes were finally inducted into
path to success – and much personal turmoil. the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
As a teenager, she joined up with sister Estelle Ronnie created Beyond the Beehive, a stage
and cousin Nedra to form the Ronettes. Their first show that enjoyed huge success in New York and
break came with a gig at the famed Apollo Theatre. London. And today, 1,700 lucky delegates were
When the lead singer froze, Ronnie jumped in and also given a peek at life under the beehive.
belted out their number. They were a smash. In her parting words, Ronnie proclaimed, “You
They came to the attention of producer Phil can go through hell and still survive – remember
Spector. Spector became Ronnie’s producer that when you hear my story.”
– and love interest. Thus began an emotional Thomas thanked her for telling it. “Your life
rollercoaster that would take her to heaven and is a testament to success and survival,” he said.
hell. “Many of us can relate to that.”
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Resolutions and Horwath: ‘Count
Constitutional on the NDP to
Amendments back you’
PASSED: The Leader of Ontario’s New
Democrats, Andrea Horwath, addressed
A1 with 93% support – A resolution to approve receipt over 1,700 OPSEU members on Day One
of the 2016 Financial Statements and that the President of Convention.
and First Vice-President/Treasurer be authorized to sign the Horwath delivered a compelling speech
financial statements on behalf of the Executive Board. that highlighted the challenges ahead for
the labour movement and commended
A2 with 91.8% support – A resolution for the Convention OPSEU’s We Own it campaign as
to endorse the actions of the Executive Board from a powerful movement against the
the closing of last convention until the closing of this privatization of our public services.
Convention. With the Ontario Liberals selling off
Hydro One and expanding wine and beer
A3 with 92% support – A resolution to appoint sales in grocery stores, Andrea warned
PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors of OPSEU for the fiscal delegates, Ontario is at a tipping point –
year January 1, 2017 through to December 31, 2017 and and we need to do something about it.
the Executive Board fix the Auditors’ remuneration. “We Own It is exactly what we
need: public ownership at the heart of
EB2 with 67.4% support – A resolution that OPSEU government for the people by the people,”
continue its “We Own It” campaign for another year, that said Horwath.
funds for the campaign be drawn from the Strikeback With a provincial election just over a
Fund, that the five per cent of OPSEU revenues that would year away, Andrea warned the delegation
normally be directed to the Strike Fund in 2017 be directed that the Ontario Liberals and PC Leader
instead to the Strikeback Fund. Patrick Brown’s newly branded “small-c”
conservatives would almost certainly
L3 with 97% support – A resolution on youth mean more cuts to public service, more
employment. public-private partnerships and the
continued sell-off of Ontario assets.
EB18 with 95% support – A resolution to recognize that Horwath went on to say if the NDP
OPSEU, and the National Union NUPGE, opposes the P3 is elected, it will return Ontario Hydro
model of infrastructure investment, recognizing that its to being 100 per cent publicly owned,
members have a direct interest in ensuring that pension restore hospital funding, and reinvest in
funds are responsibly invested, and launching the “We Own Ontario’s public services.
It” campaign to combat the privatization of public services “We need to stick together, and you can
and assets. count on the NDP to back you up when
you need it,” said Horwath.
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